KC police may start issuing tickets for electric scooter misuse

Injuries from the devices are on the rise

Kansas City Police say they may begin issuing traffic citations as they receive more and more complaints about people misusing electric scooters on streets and sidewalks.

Since the recent arrival of the app-based Bird and Lime scooters, one of the most common complaints is people riding scooters on sidewalks. The KCPD and other city leaders have launched educational campaigns online.

Officers in the downtown area have also issued some warnings, said Sgt. Jake Becchina.

"They've actually stopped and spoken with over 30 riders that they found riding on the sidewalk, and educated them about the safe ways to ride in the street and using the bike lanes," Becchina said.

One concern; a lot of scooter riders are not wearing helmets, as recommended.

"Traveling at 20 to 25 miles an hour on a two-wheeled scooter, if you hit a pothole or an inconsistency in the road, it's obviously something you want to watch out for and be very cautious about," Becchina said.

Some hospitals around the Kansas City area are seeing an increase in injuries from Bird and Lime scooters. A spokesperson with St. Luke's Health System told KMBZ they have seen multiple patients who needed to be treated for injuries related to the scooters.

The most common complaint St. Luke's doctors are treating are facial injuries, the spokesperson said.